Apparatus for automatic lubrication of vibration generators

ABSTRACT

A method of and arrangement for automatically lubricating a vibration generator according to which the vibration of the vibration generator to be lubricated is conveyed to means in a lubricant-containing storage vessel, which means release lubricant to the area to be lubricated in conformity with the vibrations of the vibration generator.

United States Patent 1191 Kohl et al.

[ June 26, 1973 APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATIC LUBRICATION or VIBRATION GENERATORS [75] Inventors: Alois Kohl; Rudolf Hartmannsgruher, both of Munich, Germany [73] Assignee: Wncher-Werke KG, Munich,

Germany [22] Filed: Mar. 15, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 123,955

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data 1 Man. 14, 1970 Germany ..P 20 12 292.3

52 us. c1. ..1 184/69, 184/626 51 1111.01. F16n 7/32 58 Field 61 Search 184/69, 6.26

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,728,614 12/1955 Rink 184/69 1,980,128 11/1934 Young 184/69 176,422 4/1876 Bryant 184/69 1,309,685 7/1919 Hansen 184/69 1,662,022 3/1928 Bacon..... 184/69 860,819 7/1907 Millett 184/69 1,483,535 2/1924 Orsdale 184/69 2,018,286 10/1935 Smith et al .IL. 184/69 Primary Examiner-Manuel A. Antonakas Attorney-Walter Becker 1 1 ABSTRACT A method of and arrangement for automatically lubricating a vibration generator according to which the vibration of the vibration generator to be lubricated is conveyed to means in a lubricant-containing storage vessel, which means release lubricant to the area to be lubricated in conformity with the vibrations of the vibration generator.

1 Claim, 7 Drawing-Figures PATENTEU M25 amzar m Mw .1 M 7 H :1 Iv I: :3 23 a a I I I I I I I I I I IV 7 WW7; ,ro AREA 70 as wen/c4120 uwmrons ALo/S KOHL RuvoLF H/wrmAA/usGRUBER APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATIC LUBRICATION OF VIBRATION GENERATORS The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for automatic lubrication of vibration generators during the operation of such vibration generators.

Various possibilities and methods are known for lubricating vibrators. One of these methods consists in that daily prior to operating the vibrator or the working device, the areas to be lubricated are, by means for instance of a grease press, provided with a certain quantity of grease. This type of lubrication, however, is disadvantageous inasmuch as if the operator forgets to lubricate the device, for instance the bearing areas become dry rather quickly with the result of an increased wear of the working device.

Another heretofore known possibility of effecting a lubrication of the respective vibrator consists in the provision of a certain chamber receiving a certain quantity of lubricant such as oil or grease for the areas to be lubricated. This quantity is sufficient for a certain period of operation of the vibrator. Since, however, the employment of such devices varies greatly as to time, the post-lubrication, in other words, the oil and grease change of the apparatus is frequently forgotten so that, for instance, the bearing elements likewise run dry and quickly wear. In addition to the resulting repair costs, also the time during which the apparatus cannot be used is considerable and therefore represents a considerable loss. v

For the above reasons, it has been suggested to fill these storage chambers with a very large quantity of oil or grease. This procedure, however, has the drawback that, for instance, with electrical devices, the current consumption increases to such an extent that the apparatus becomes too hot and consequently damage to the windings occur. y

it is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a method and device for automatically lubricating vibrators during their'operation, which will overcome the above mentioned drawbacks and will assure a constant film of lubricant during the operation of the vibrator at the areas to be lubricated. This object and other objects and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly from the following specification in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 diagrammatically illustrates in section a first 1 embodiment of a lubricating system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 diagrammatically illustrates a further embodiment of a lubricating system according to the invention in which a reciprocable element actuated by the oscillating movement of the vibrator controls the lubrication.

FIG. 3 diagrammatically shows a further embodiment of the present invention, which differs from that of FIG. 2 primarily in that the passage through which the lubricant is conveyed to the areas to be' lubricated is controlled by a ball.

FIG. 4 represents still another embodiment of a lubricating system according to the invention, in which a diaphragm acts as lubricating pump.

FIG. 5 represents a still further embodiment of the present invention, in which the lubrication is controlled by a reciprocable piston.

FIG. 6 shows a further modification of a lubricating system according to the invention, in which the lubricant adhering by adhesion to a piston is stripped off for instance by a sealing sleeve.

FIG. 7 shows an embodiment in which the lubricant supply chamber is arranged in the closure cap of an inner vibrator.

The present invention is characterized primarily in that a lubricant is conveyed from a lubricant storage chamber by the oscillating working movement of the vibrator to the area to be lubricated. As connection between the lubricating storage chamber and the area to be lubricated, a capillary may be provided.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the vibrator may be equipped with a pump which, activated by the oscillating movement of the vibrator, pumps a lubricant from a lubricant storage chamber to the area to be lubricated. As pump may be used, for instance, an oscillating diaphragm which, by means of valves and conduits communicates with the lubricant supply chamber and the area to be lubricated.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, a reciprocable piston may be used as lubricating pump, the stroke movement of which may be adjusted at will.

According to a further modification of the present invention, an oil conveying passage closed for instance by a ball, cylinder or the like is controlled by the vibrating movement of the vibrator against the thrust of a spring. The lubricant supply chamber may be separated from, or may be arranged within, the vibrator and may be located for instance in the closure cap of inner vibrators.

The foremost advantage of the arrangement according to the present invention is seen primarily in that Also the repair costs and idling times of such devices are considerably reduced. Furthermore, damages as they may be caused by the introduction 'of'excessive quantities of lubricants, which damages may manifest itself for instance in an increased current supply of the device and excessive heating of the windings, will be eliminated.

Referring now to the drawings indetail, FIG. 1 shows a device according to the present invention according to which a vibration generator 1 is provided with a lubricant storage chamber 2 adapted to be filled with a lubricant 3. In view of the working operation of the vibrator 1, the lubricant 3 passes through an opening 4, which may consist for instance of a capillary, to the areas 5 to be lubricated. These areas 5 may represent for instance bearing elements or sliding paths for rolling off unbalances.

According to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the lubricant storage chamber 6 has arranged therein a housing 6a in which is reciprocably arranged a cylindrical body 7 which, through the intervention of a spring element 8, rests against the lid 6b of said housing 6a. In view of the oscillating movement of the vibrator l, the cylindrical body 7 slides back and forth in hous:

weights 12,111 view of the oscillating mdvememb kt e pumping movement [so that he lubriceintwhie l the area to be lubricated and not vice yersa i'angements of FIGS; ltowin that the luh r icent fee control is effected by afrecipfoeablepisto specifically, in view of thelyi btating a ctio th are relieved so that lubtieantfrom the storage aha be:

The stroke movemiatbfpiston 1s meyibeucomrolled by a device l8 which cen e jserewed or l equippetliwithvalveswhich 1 in the feverse direeti in FIG; 6 shows afurthe rem odiment f thei pre m vention according to whiehthelubrie jtit*wlfiiehz heito the pistonpl9 byxttjdhesion strippegl ojff f0 outside of the vibtator 4 diaphragm 1 1 which may be provided with additional vibration generator llg thetltaiphragm ltemieseut theupper portionpf housing 6d through thebpening Ge is pumped th rough pssaigeflb to thelare ajs to men cated. The opening 3 6e he proi'ided with a Cheek valve Bend the passage 4bmay be ptoVided fii/ithe check valve 14 so thet thejpill can flow l onlyin oned rection, namely from the stora'ge cheniher I upper portion of housing fidend from the lhtter th otigh T he device. according tor, the piston ISisLsubjectedtO a teciprocetoi'y ment as'a result of whiehiperiodicallybores 16 land 31 6 enters the bores 16 14mm and from here through the connection ltothe areajto belluhneetedl It may be naentio 

1. For use with unbalance means, in combination with an inner vibrator having a vibrating element movable along bearing surfaces to be lubricated with atomized oil mist, a device connectable to the inner vibrator to be lubricated, and comprising a closure cap forming a pouch lubricant storage vessel adapted to receive and store lubricant from a top portion thereof, and means in the top portion of said closure cap responsive to the vibration of said inner vibrator for conveying lubricant continually maintained in readiness from said storage vessel to the area of said bearing surfaces to be lubricated, said lubricant being spaced from said portion to allow air above said lubricant, said means in the top portion of said closure cap including capillary nozzLe means establishing communication between said lubricant storage vessel and the area of unbalance means to be lubricated of said inner vibrator, and a swell rejector positioned before and about said nozzle means and above said lubricant and having small apertures to prevent any lubricant swell from passing through said nozzle means and allowing only for passage of atomized oil mist. 